The President of the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV, stated that the concerns expressed by a large number of experts regarding artificial intelligence should be taken seriously.
This came in a statement to reporters aboard the presidential plane on Monday evening while returning to the Vatican after concluding a four-day official visit to France.
In response to a question about his views on the risks and global debates surrounding artificial intelligence, the Pope said: "I believe that the concerns raised by a large number of experts regarding artificial intelligence should be taken seriously."
He added in this regard: "And I do not think they are false news, as suggested and promoted by President Trump, for the purpose of achieving material interests or others."
The Pope referred to statements by the head of the American chip-making company Nvidia about the possibility of implementing safety barriers or optional restrictions on artificial intelligence systems to prevent them from surpassing their operational scope and causing harm.
At the same time, he noted that the same official sees it necessary for governments not to impose any restrictions or regulations in this field.
The Pope stated: "We must continue to urge political leaders and representatives of the artificial intelligence sector, as well as social organizations and bodies, to come together and assess what is actually happening and what could happen in the future."
He continued: "Simply saying: this will not happen, and closing our eyes to reality is not a responsible approach in my opinion."
In criticizing military spending, he said: "We continue to arm ourselves and spend huge amounts on a massive military industry, whereby a few elected individuals reap enormous profits from this industry by encouraging wars, while billions of euros or dollars could have been used to solve problems such as world hunger, the housing crisis, and unemployment."
He pointed out that there are some powers (unnamed) trying to impose their will using force instead of resolving existing disputes through dialogue or negotiation, stating that this gradually increases the likelihood of numerous wars and conflicts breaking out.
Pope Leo XIV also addressed the Russian-Ukrainian war, saying: "We should continue to encourage the leaders of Russia, Ukraine, and other countries to meet, sit at the table, engage in dialogue, and seek solutions to these issues instead of insisting on wars that have now become meaningless."